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TeleCommunication Systems has launched TCS Smart911 technology, through its Geospatial Emergency Manager portal, which will give 9-1-1 systems access to text messages and detailed information about the sender. Dispatchers use a regular browser to access the GEM system. Once they get a 9-1-1 text, they will be able to view a database profile associated with the phone number. "They can be looking at medical history, photos — for example, the picture of a missing child — and all the kinds of rich media that the next-generation capabilities are permitting. And we're there with this available today through the GEM 911 portal," said Kent Hellebust, a TCS vice president.

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NICE Systems, Cisco and TeleCommunication Systems are among the vendors that will showcase their 9-1-1 technology this week at the NENA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tenn. TCS will have its GEM9-1-1 data-mapping system on display using Cisco's Wi-Fi-based Mobility Services Engine, and NICE Systems will have its text-to-9-1-1 logging solution available.

Some emergency response officials are concerned about the FCC's proposed rule to require wireless carriers to support text-to-9-1-1 by the end of the year. A bounce-back message system was required by the FCC with all cell phone carriers as of Sept 30, 2013, so that people who text 9-1-1 are advised when text service is not available in their area.. Currently, not all public safety answering points have enhanced technology to accept texts, although every PSAP can accept text messages in the form of TTY messaging. Where text to 9-1-1 is supported, 9-1-1 texters may not immediately know whether their text went through until the PSAP responds.

A Pennsylvania state legislator from Delaware County plans to propose a bill that would provide counties with guidance on merging and regionalizing 9-1-1 services. The legislation would give the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency authority to provide a plan that includes joint-purchasing opportunities, technology regionalization and center consolidation, which are cost-saving measures designed to help close budget deficits for 9-1-1 centers.

Smart911 from Rave Mobile Safety bridges the gap between cellphones and Enhanced 9-1-1 technology by providing data about callers from a continually updated database. Rave Mobile got a $43,000 grant from the Florida government to develop the service, which can help agencies save money.

More insurance carriers should provide a real-time interface to improve transactions with agents and brokers, according to a survey by Real Time/Download Campaign. "The insurance industry has made worthy strides over the last few years in standardizing workflows by implementing real time through their agency management system and/or comparative rater. This has saved agents and brokers time and money, especially when compared with going from carrier portal to carrier portal," said Cal Durland of ACORD, a sponsor of Real Time/Download Campaign.